Daniel Barrera says sacrifice has only made him stronger

Junior bantamweight Daniel Barrera, 23, from Eastvale, California, is set to showcase the results of a focused training camp when he returns to the ring this Saturday at Commerce Casino in Commerce, California. After four months’ inactivity, Barrera has been training away from home and is ready to show the importance of this sacrifice on fight night.

Barrera, 7-0-1 (4 KOs), will face Angel Geovanny Meza Morales, 8-1-3 (6 KOs), in a pivotal matchup on a card promoted by 360 Promotions, airing on UFC Fight Pass. Morales, a 24-year-old from Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico, is riding a two-fight win streak since his sole career last September, and will make his U.S. debut.

“He likes to throw big bombs, big hooks, so it’s about not getting caught with dumb shots we didn’t see,” Barrera told BoxingScene.

Finding footage on Morales wasn’t easy, Barrera admits, but he’s prepared. “We managed to find some tape. He’s hungry—this is his U.S. debut, and he wants to make a name for himself,” Barrera said, before invoking an oft-repeated Mike Tyson soundbite. “But everyone’s got a plan until they get punched.”

In his last fight against Christian Robles, Barrera suffered a cut but stayed composed. He credits his corner for keeping him calm and allowing him to go the full eight rounds. Barrera recalls the experience. 

“I was calm, patient, and I didn’t freak out even when I got a cut, so that was exciting for me, and that I could do all eight rounds,” Barrera said.

For this camp, Barrera trained in Arizona with long-time coach Al Franco, father of former pro boxer Daniel “Twitch” Franco. The shift away from distractions has helped to sharpen his focus. Franco moved to Arizona roughly two years ago. “He likes to take me away, to get me away from any distractions, and get that anger out of me, so I can display it in the fight,” Barrera said.

Staying active is another key for Barrera, who thanks 360 Promotions for keeping him busy.  “We just do what we need to do. We fight, take a little break and then go again,” Barrera said. “I have improved more as a professional now that we’ve been busy rather than, you know, fighting every six months or so.”

Looking ahead, Barrera is hoping to progress to 10-round fights by the end of next year with hopes of being in the main event of a card in the future. “But that’s up to my team,” Barrera said.